DEVILBEND RESERVOIR
Devilbend Natural Features Reservoir is the largest inland body of water on the Mornington Peninsula. Its water levels vary between 9,000mL and 13,360mL. Devilbend Reservoir was constructed in 1956 as a backup supply of water for the Mornington Peninsula. It was decommissioned in 2000-2001 as the Mornington Peninsula gained access to Cardinia Reservoir. In 2002 the Minister for Environment and Water gathered a working group to discuss the future of the reserve and a summary report was presented to the Minister in 2004. In January 2006 the Minister announced the government’s intention to establish a new Devilbend Park. But in September 2006 most of Devilbend was transferred to the Crown, and the Minister announced that the area would be reserved as a Natural Features Reserve to protect the less than 5 per cent of Mornington Peninsula’s original bush land habitat that remains. The Minister also announced that 40 hectares of land north of Graydens Road would be sold, and that the proceeds of the sale would be allocated to the management of the new reserve.
Only certain areas of this reserve are open to the public - from Devilbend picnic area to Daangean point (as shown below). Parking is available from Graydens Road.
Devilbend Reservoir was quarried to expose the underlying geology and offer a glimpse of the geological landforms. It was found that this area comprised of Lower and Upper Ordovician sediments that are some of the oldest on the Mornington Peninsula.
The construction of the reservoir significantly modified the landscape, through the quarrying of the dam walls and the realignment of Devilbend Creek. Devilbend Creek gorge was said to have been a beautiful geological feature prior to the creation of Devilbend Reservoir. It would have extended south several hundred metres from where the present dam wall is located and would have been about ten metres deep. Devilbend Creek, which now flows through the reserve - primarily via a catch drain - is found just south of the reserve. The catch drain then flows the water back into the natural course of the creek to the north of the reserve via a concrete spillway.
The construction of the reservoir significantly modified the landscape, through the quarrying of the dam walls and the realignment of Devilbend Creek. Devilbend Creek gorge was said to have been a beautiful geological feature prior to the creation of Devilbend Reservoir. It would have extended south several hundred metres from where the present dam wall is located and would have been about ten metres deep. Devilbend Creek, which now flows through the reserve - primarily via a catch drain - is found just south of the reserve. The catch drain then flows the water back into the natural course of the creek to the north of the reserve via a concrete spillway.
Early European settlement saw the land cleared for orchards, grazing and timber. Clearing occurred for agriculture, fuel, industrial and recreational purposes.
The construction of the reservoir impacted largely on the vegetation. Woodland and scrub vegetation declined while wetland vegetation greatly increased, this is mostly due to the inundation of the landform with water for the reservoirs.
The construction of the reservoir impacted largely on the vegetation. Woodland and scrub vegetation declined while wetland vegetation greatly increased, this is mostly due to the inundation of the landform with water for the reservoirs.
The reservoir's landscape and landforms are intrinsic elements of the Country of the Boonwurrung people. It was of historical, aesthetic, scientific and societal value to these people. Through research, the area in and around the reserve has been identified as a traditional Boonwurrung campsite and was the first complex campsite to be discovered inland on the Mornington Peninsula. The Boonwurrung people also used this area as a source of stone for tool making. Research has discovered that the Boonwurrung people had two names for this area, they were Daangean and Towurong. The existing remnants throughout Devilbend are secondary regrowth, so it is hard to map the vegetation from 200 years ago. It is suspected that a mix of Lowland and Grassy Woodland were present and that Swamp Scrub likely existed along the former alignment of Devilbend Creek.
Devilbend reserve is an important habitat area and refuge for many native fauna. There are 216 fauna species these include;
Of these there are two nationally significant species, which are the Growling Grass Frog and the Dwarf Galaxias. There are also 20 state significant species, most importantly the White-bellied Sea-Eagle and the Blue-billed Duck which are regular visitors.
- 20 mammals, 7 introduced
- 168 birds, 10 introduced
- 11 reptiles, none introduced
- 6 frogs, none introduced
- 10 fish, 3 introduced
- 1 crustacean, introduced
Of these there are two nationally significant species, which are the Growling Grass Frog and the Dwarf Galaxias. There are also 20 state significant species, most importantly the White-bellied Sea-Eagle and the Blue-billed Duck which are regular visitors.
There are two populations of Blue-billed Ducks found in the southwest and southeast of Australia. They desire deep fresh water wetlands and require a dense cover for breeding. The numbers of the Blue-billed Duck at Devilbend have increased with 3,100 in 2006 compared to 238 in 1989. This has a correlation to the decline of other habitats across the state due to drainage, clearing, grazing, salinity and ground water extractions. This highlights the importance the reserve plays, and enhancing shoreline and aquatic vegetation may increase and/or stabilise the numbers of Blue-billed Ducks visiting the reserve.
A pair of White-bellied Sea-Eagles have been recorded nesting within the reserve since 1999, one of only approximately 100 breading pairs left in Australia. The FFG Action Statement for the White-bellied Sea-Eagle requires a buffer zone of 400m around their nests, to be protected from human and habitat disturbances.
Assessments undertaken in 2007 found the number plant taxa present was approximately 290 species; 212 (73%) indigenous and 78 exotic (27%). More species are anticipated to be discovered with further surveys. The most common plant families characterised were Asteraceae, Fabaceae, Cyperaceae, Mimosaceae, Myrtaceae, Poaceae and Proteaceae. There are 101 regionally significant species present at Devilbend. One flora species in particular was of great state significance, the Mauve-tuft Sun-orchid (Thelymitra malvina), that was identified in 2001 and is listed as vulnerable on DSE’s Advisory List.
Devilbend reserve has a large amount of vegetation, but a lot is separated by open paddocks, power lines and roads. This fragmentation has caused the extinction of some animals as these open spaces are subject to predation by introduced species. Roads are also problematic as they not only affect wildlife, but also flora distribution.
Fragmentation can also leave a species isolated and unable to migrate. If migration doesn’t occur then this could lead to inbreeding and genetic depression.
Fragmentation can also leave a species isolated and unable to migrate. If migration doesn’t occur then this could lead to inbreeding and genetic depression.
A vast majority of vegetation was cleared after European settlement, mainly as a result of the construction of the reservoir and also through grazing.
Highly modified parts of Devilbend, particularly paddocks, are being regenerated. By providing seeds, high quality soil, and protection from predation of seedlings and small shrubs to these paddocks, it will help maintain an ecosystem so regeneration can occur. Regeneration can also be assisted by fire and grazing as this can increase germination and early seedling survival.
Below is the impact this can have. A project conducted by Greenfleet in partnership with Parks Victoria, helped with the maintenance of a paddock around Devilbend with successful results.
Highly modified parts of Devilbend, particularly paddocks, are being regenerated. By providing seeds, high quality soil, and protection from predation of seedlings and small shrubs to these paddocks, it will help maintain an ecosystem so regeneration can occur. Regeneration can also be assisted by fire and grazing as this can increase germination and early seedling survival.
Below is the impact this can have. A project conducted by Greenfleet in partnership with Parks Victoria, helped with the maintenance of a paddock around Devilbend with successful results.
Revegetation is the process of purposely planting of shrubs, trees and various other plants. This is a last resort and is only used in areas that can’t be naturally regenerated. It involves the direct planting of vegetation that is desired by certain species. It relies on a high level of maintenance to ensure success.
Major changes to vegetation can occur as a result of recreation, but this mainly depends on the type of activity, so a level of restriction must be placed. For example, the ground pressure impacts on vegetation cover is 27 times greater with horse riding than it is with humans. As a result, horse riding may cause changes in the type of vegetation found on track edges and may also increase weed cover through seed dispersal. Also recreational activities may have damaging results in areas where it is hoped natural regeneration will occur as soil disturbances can interrupt succession.
The allowance for recreational activities has resulted in the clearing and modification of native vegetation as car parks, roads and picnic areas were created. This changed the aesthetics of the area and also in some way impacted the ecosystem function on a local level.
A majority of wildlife that occupy this reserve are somewhat sensitive to recreation and this may impact breeding and resting. So managing recreational demands while also providing a sufficient habitat for wildlife is crucial.
The allowance for recreational activities has resulted in the clearing and modification of native vegetation as car parks, roads and picnic areas were created. This changed the aesthetics of the area and also in some way impacted the ecosystem function on a local level.
A majority of wildlife that occupy this reserve are somewhat sensitive to recreation and this may impact breeding and resting. So managing recreational demands while also providing a sufficient habitat for wildlife is crucial.
Many species prefer Devilbend reserve overs others because of the low levels of human disturbance. A study on woodland birds in the UK discovered that there was a higher density of birds where there was a low level of human presence compared to areas with high human presence. The White-bellied Sea-Eagle and the Blue-billed Duck in particular are highly sensitive to the presence of humans, so allowing the public to access this reserve is in question. A report on the, 'Impact of recreational access and stocking with fish on waterbirds and shorebirds' by Arthur Rylah from the Institute for Environmental Research predicted that the levels of disturbance created from recreation is not likely to cause a reduction in bird populations if the scope for visitors is restricted. As Devilbend is a large reserve the seclusion of the birds can still be achieved while visitors are present.
Parks Victoria 2008, Devilbend Natural Features Reserve Draft Management Plan, Parks Victoria, viewed 11/03/2015,
<http://www.fwdvictoria.org.au/upload/submissions/DevilbendDraftPlan.pdf>
Parks Victoria 2010, Devilbend Natural Features Reserve Management Plan, Parks Victoria, viewed 11/03/2015,
< http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/313268/devil-bend-mp.pdf>
Thompson Berrill Landscape Design Pty Ltd 2011, Final Summary Report: Devilbend Natural Features Reserve Masterplan, Parks Victoria, viewed 26/03/2015,
< http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/518749/Devilbend-MP-Final-Summary-Report.pdf>
Practical Ecology 2008, Flora and Fauna Assessment and Recommendation Report Devilbend Reserve (Darngean), Parks Victoria, viewed 30/03/2015,
< http://www.spiffa.org/uploads/2/6/7/5/2675656/devilbend-ff-report.pdf>
Greenfleet 2014, Before & after pictures of our native forests at Devilbend, Greenfleet, viewed 07/04/2015, <http://www.greenfleet.com.au/News/TabId/264/ArtMID/2986/ArticleID/24/Before-after-pictures-of-our-native-forests-at-Devilbend.aspx>
<http://www.fwdvictoria.org.au/upload/submissions/DevilbendDraftPlan.pdf>
Parks Victoria 2010, Devilbend Natural Features Reserve Management Plan, Parks Victoria, viewed 11/03/2015,
< http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/313268/devil-bend-mp.pdf>
Thompson Berrill Landscape Design Pty Ltd 2011, Final Summary Report: Devilbend Natural Features Reserve Masterplan, Parks Victoria, viewed 26/03/2015,
< http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/518749/Devilbend-MP-Final-Summary-Report.pdf>
Practical Ecology 2008, Flora and Fauna Assessment and Recommendation Report Devilbend Reserve (Darngean), Parks Victoria, viewed 30/03/2015,
< http://www.spiffa.org/uploads/2/6/7/5/2675656/devilbend-ff-report.pdf>
Greenfleet 2014, Before & after pictures of our native forests at Devilbend, Greenfleet, viewed 07/04/2015, <http://www.greenfleet.com.au/News/TabId/264/ArtMID/2986/ArticleID/24/Before-after-pictures-of-our-native-forests-at-Devilbend.aspx>